When the Unexpected Strikes…
March 20, 2023
Quote.
Update & Motivate.
Book Review - The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams.
My Favorite Things: Beeswax Wraps.
Final thoughts.
Update:
I hope this past week was better for you than it was for me. We had spring break this week. No plans for a trip, but many plans to enjoy time with our kiddos.
We started the week with a birthday party, but it all went down hill after that. The most unexpected was my 7 year-old’s injury while ice skating last Monday. She busted her chin.
And needed stitches.
Which I decided to do at home. It was a traumatic experience for all involved. But I’m glad to know that after 7 years away from the operating room, I can still close a wound.
In case you were wondering, there’s a huge difference between closing your own crying, wiggling child’s small open wound and closing a gaping surgical wound of a spine patient who is ASLEEP!
I’ll take the spine to skin closure any day!!
Later that night, a stomach virus reared its ugly head. Its very ugly head. And devoured our whole family.
All that to say, spring break did not go as planned. Our new cook-top arrived broken, so we don’t have a stove either (still).
Why am I telling you this?
Life can change quickly.
One day you’re planning your week on your able-bodied legs and eating delicious food. The next, you’re driving a needle through your child’s skin, existing like a beached whale, seeing your bathroom from new perspectives, and looking at food like, “How dare you exist!”
You never know what’s going to happen in life.
But just like unexpected bad things, unexpected GOOD things can also hit you just as fast. Sometimes, when you least expect it, when you’ve been holding on forever waiting for THAT thing and you’re just about to let go, good can surprise you.
And you end up with something that seemed like it was never going to happen.
2 take-aways:
One, this a reminder that good can hit just like bad can, so hold on.
Two, yeah, so, this week didn’t go as expected, but it isn’t really the bad I’m clinging to.
I was sick, but I did enjoy watching movies with my family, and I appreciated having other family members who instantly wanted to help.
My daughter busted her chin, but at least I had the supplies to take care of her at home.
We have no cook-top, but that just means: I don’t have to cook! (Please don’t remind me that I have an oven. I’m milking this “unfortunate” event for all it’s worth. ;-)
Looking at the positives really makes a difference in my quality of life.
Something else unexpected happened to me last week. Remember my last email? I discussed a book similar to mine, and I was worried about it. (The review(ish) for that book is below.)
I wrote about it because it was “book news” for last week, and it impacted me. But when I wrote about my concerns, I didn’t expect to hear from so many of you. I didn’t write it looking for advice or encouragement. I just wrote it because it was on my mind.
BUT, the replies I received, while unanticipated, really lifted me up.
Support from other people really does make a difference in lives.
Book Review:
This is the book I was worried about being too similar to mine. After reading it, I can use it as a comparison title. There are similar components: the idea of choosing between a relationship or a baby.
But while this book is similar in theme to mine, I must admit, it’s also very different. My writing style and tone are unique to me.
In short, I think my book can exist just fine with this one floating out there. Yay!
Here’s the Goodreads summary:
3.42/5 avg rating. 6,585 ratings
‘Joyful and romantic!’ COSMOPOLITAN
‘Full of delicious food, real kindness and sexy men… what’s not to like?!’ BETH O’LEARY , bestselling author of The Flatshare
Penny Bridge has always been unlucky in love. So she can’t believe it when she meets a remarkable new man. Followed by another. And then another … And all of them want to date her. Penny has to choose between three. But are any of them The One? The bestselling author of Our Stop will have you laughing, crying and cheering Penny on in this funny and feel-good exploration of hope, romance and the trust it takes to finally fall in love. Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane’s Last Night and Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare .
My Favorite Things: Beeswax Wrappers
I honestly can’t remember if I’ve mentioned these beeswax food wrappers or not. If I have, then no fears, I have an update.
I love using these wrappers to store food, especially citrus. When I cut half a lemon, snugging this around the rest is fabulous and there’s no plastic involved.
I’ve had my set from Amazon for 2 years now, and they’re going strong.
They’re soft and mold-able by hand when room-temp/warm, but they harden and “seal’ when cooled in the fridge.
There are all kinds on Amazon, but my particular set came in a larger set of items, and you can see it here.
I love and recommend them!
Final thoughts:
This week, I hope you’re looking on the bright side of the bad.
I hope you’re ready to overcome any negative thoughts you face.
And if you’re waiting for something good to happen in your life that feels like it’s taking forever to occur, I hope you’ll remember that life changes quickly. Don’t give up. Keep going. What you want very well may be right around the corner.
Much glitter,
Melissa
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